Secret of Chimneys - Agatha Christie [79]
‘And there’s no way out?’ asked Virginia.
‘There’s always a way out,’ said Anthony gloomily. ‘I’ve got a theory that one can always get anything one wants if one will pay the price. And do you know what the price is, nine times out of ten? Compromise. A beastly thing, compromise, but it steals upon you as you near middle age. It’s stealing upon me now. To get the woman I want I’d–I’d even take up regular work.’
Virginia laughed.
‘I was brought up to a trade, you know,’ continued Anthony.
‘And you abandoned it?’
‘Yes.’
‘Why?’
‘A matter of principle.’
‘Oh!’
‘You’re a very unusual woman,’ said Anthony suddenly, turning and looking at her.
‘Why?’
‘You can refrain from asking questions.’
‘You mean that I haven’t asked you what your trade was?’
‘Just that.’
Again they walked on in silence. They were nearing the house now, passing close by the scented sweetness of the rose garden.
‘You understand well enough, I dare say,’ said Anthony, breaking the silence. ‘You know when a man’s in love with you. I don’t suppose you care a hang for me–or for anyone else–but, by God, I’d like to make you care.’
‘Do you think you could?’ asked Virginia, in a low voice.
‘Probably not, but I’d have a damned good try.’
‘Are you sorry you ever met me?’ she said suddenly.
‘Lord, no. It’s the red signal again. When I first saw you–that day in Pont Street, I knew I was up against something that was going to hurt like fun. Your face did that to me–just your face. There’s magic in you from head to foot–some women are like that, but I’ve never known a woman who had so much of it as you have. You’ll marry someone respectable and prosperous, I suppose, and I shall return to my disreputable life, but I’ll kiss you once before I go–I swear I will.’
‘You can’t do it now,’ said Virginia softly. ‘Superintendent Battle is watching us out of the library window.’
Anthony looked at her.
‘You’re rather a devil, Virginia,’ he said dispassionately. ‘But rather a dear too.’
Then he waved his hand airily to Superintendent Battle.
‘Caught any criminals this morning, Battle?’
‘Not as yet, Mr Cade.’
‘That sounds hopeful.’
Battle with an agility surprising in so stolid a man, vaulted out of the library window and joined them on the terrace.
‘I’ve got Professor Wynwood down here,’ he announced in a whisper. ‘Just this minute arrived. He’s decoding the letters now. Would you like to see him at work?’
His tone suggested that of the showman speaking of some pet exhibit. Receiving a reply in the affirmative, he led them up to the window and invited them to peep inside.
Seated at a table, the letters spread out in front of him and writing busily on a big sheet of paper, was a small red-haired man of middle age. He grunted irritably to himself as he wrote and every now and then rubbed his nose violently until its hue almost rivalled that of his hair.
Presently he looked up.
‘That you, Battle? What do you want me down here to unravel this tomfoolery for? A child in arms could do it. A baby of two could do it on his head. Call this thing a cipher? It leaps to the eye, man.’
‘I’m glad of that, Professor,’ said Battle mildly. ‘But we’re not all so clever as you are, you know.’
‘It doesn’t need cleverness,’ snapped the professor. ‘It’s routine work. Do you want the whole bundle done? It’s a long business, you know–requires diligent application and close attention and absolutely no intelligence. I’ve done the one dated “Chimneys” which you said was important. I might as well take the rest back to London and hand ’em over to one of my assistants. I really can’t afford the time myself. I’ve come away now from a real teaser, and I want to get back to it.’
His eyes glistened a little.
‘Very well, Professor,’ assented Battle. ‘I’m sorry we’re such small fry. I’ll explain to Mr Lomax. It’s just this one letter that all the hurry is about. Lord Caterham is expecting you to stay for lunch, I believe.’
‘Never have lunch,’ said the professor. ‘Bad habit, lunch. A banana and a water biscuit is all any sane and healthy man should